Abstract:
A growing body of evidence indicates that the multitude of organisms residing in our gut can profoundly affect our health. These organisms are loosely termed as gut microbiota and have been known to affect the function as well as the behavioral aspects of human health. Recent research shows that the microorganisms in our gut play a crucial role in determining our health and susceptibility to disease. Newly identified intricacies of connection between nervous system and gut microbiota are specially intriguing, since nervous system intersects and in a manner regulates almost every other function of the body. Interestingly, gut microbiota has been found to be affected in cases of nervous system disorders, including neurodegeneration, such as but not limited to Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
The number of people worldwide with neurodegenerative disorders grows yearly, but effective treatments with few side effects remain limited. There is a new avenue of translational research, which evaluates the gut-brain-microbiome axis for management and therapeutic ideas for neurodegenerative disorders. It is therefore important to understand the newer intervention techniques using microbiota, which can be employed for holistic cure of neurodegenerative disorders. This chapter encompasses a comprehensive review of the relationship between gut microbiota in the context of specific neurodegenerative disorders.